Apparatus for erecting packing cases



May 6', 1964 H. H. WEBER ETAL APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PACKING CASES 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1961 mmvrons HERBERT H. WEBER BY PAUL w.JACOBSEN ATTORNEY May 26, 1964 H. H. WEBER ETAL APPARATUS FOR ERECTINGPACKING CASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1961 FIG-.7.

INVENTORS HERBERT H. WEBER PAUL w. JACOBSEN ATTORNEY May 26, 1964 H. H.WEBER ETAL 3,

APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PACKING CASES Filed Feb. 6, 1961 v 4 Sheets-Sheet3 :2 ]o 0 us 9| 49 was 47 4a 36 p36 53 3| as I 56 I3 I, g g Q\\\\\\INVENTORS HERBERT H.WEBER By PAUL W. JACOBSEN AT7DRNE Y Y May 26, 1 H.H. WEBER ETAL APPARATUS FOR ERECTING PACKING CASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Feb. 6, 1961 mdl mmlrons HERBERT H. WEBER PAUL W. JACOBSENATTORNEY United States Patent 3,134,309 APPARATUS FOR ECTING PACKKNGCASES Herbert H. Weber, Sheboygan, and Paul W. iacobsen, Kiel, Wis,assignors to H. G. Weber and Company, Inc, Kiel, Wis.

Filed Feb. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 87,244 3 tllaims. (Cl. 93-53) Thisinvention relates to machinery for packing commercial products and moreparticularly to automatic machinery for erecting and packing cases.

Heretofore the erecting and packing of cases with a plurality offinished products have been separate operations usually accomplishedwith a lot of manual labor. For these reasons the cost ofthe finishedproduct was unduly high. Therefore, it is commercially desirable toerect and pack the finished products in cases cheaply, efficiently andautomatically.

In accordance with the invention claimed a new and improved method oferecting and packing collapsed cases having a pair of opposed end wallsemploying closure flaps is provided. This method comprises the steps offeeding the collapsed cases along a predetermined path of travel,erecting the cases as the cases advance along the path of travel,inserting a group of filled containers into one end of the cases,closing at least one closure flap at the other end of the cases andholding them closed in timed relation to the insertion of the containersinto [the cases and closing at least one of the closure fiaps at saidone end of the cases in timed relation to the insertion of thecontainers into the cases. The new and improved case packing machinecomprises a frame, shuttle means mounted on the frame for movingcollapsed open ended cases along a predetermined path on the frame andcase attaching means mounted on the frame along the path of the casesthrough the machine for attaching to the surface of the cases, theattaching means after engaging the cases and upon further movement ofthe cases along their path causing erection of the cases. A first meansfor closing the trailing flap of one end of the cases and holding thisflap closed is mounted on the frame. Means are provided for loadingproducts into the other end of the cases. A second means is mounted onthe frame for closing the trailing flap of the other end of the cases.The product loading means actuates the first and second closing means insequence. Third and fourth means for closing the leading flaps of eachend of the cases is provided upon further movement of the loaded casesalong their path and plow means for closing the upper and lower flaps oneach end of the cases is provided for completing the erecting andsealing operation.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new andimproved method for erecting and packing collapsed cases.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvederection and packing machine for repetitive operating cycles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improvederection and packing machine in which a case is erected, the flaps atone end of the case are bent in place, the case is loaded at the otherend, and the flaps are bent in place at the other end to form a finishedproduct all done automatically.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved erection and case packing machine in which the case loadingmeans controls the flap end closing mechanisms.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved erection and case packing machine in which the case is erected,packed, sealed and placed on a discharge conveyor without changing theaxial position of the packaged product.

ice

A still further object of this invention is to provide a repetitivecycle operating case erection and packing machine which is simple,durable and economical in construction and operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the erection and packing machine showingthe product loading conveyor and embodying the various features of thepresent inventions;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the unseen side of the structure shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the illustration shown in FIG. 2showing the suction device in dotted lines in two of its extremepositions;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 takenalong the line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 takenalong the line 55 and showing the trailing flap closing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view partly in section of the trailing flap andbottom flap closing mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of the case, leading flap closingmechanism and the gluing nozzles.

FIG. 8 illustrates and enlarged side view of the resilient fingersutilized in the case chute shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged force diagram illustrating the case and containeractuating means; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view of the suction cup actuating meansshown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference,FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the carton or case erection and packingmachine 11 comprising a frame 12 defining a predetermined path over aworking surface 13 for the cases from the case hopper 14 through thecase erection area 15, case packing area v16 and case discharge area 17.Collapsed cartons or cases 18 are stacked in hopper 14 and are pickedoff of the bottom of the stack one at a time by case pick-off fingers 19actuated in a reciprocating manner by a shuttle mechanism 21 The shuttlemechanism is illustrated as a fluid motor 22 actuable in one directionby fluid under pressure and which may be returned by a spring biasingmeans to its original position. The fiuid under pressure will be assumedherein to be compressed air supplied from a suitable compressor (notshown) through a pipe 23. Although the shuttle mechanism is herein shownas a fluid motor an electric motor with suitable reversing means or handoperated linkage may also be used. Fluid motor 22 comprises a cylinder24, piston 25 and piston rod 26. An orifice in cylinder 24 is connectedto pipe 23. Suit able valve means (not shown) connects pipe 23alternately to the source of fluid under pressure and atmosphere forrapid reversal action.

The fluid motor is provided to reciprocate a shuttle table 27 along atrack 28. Shuttle table 27 utilizes a pair of shuttle fingers 19 forpushing the bottom collapsed case 011 of the stack of cases toward thecase erection area 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the shuttle fingers 19 are pivotally mountedone on each end of the shuttle table 27 and are biased counterclockwiseso as to engage the lowermost collapsed case in hopper 14 duringmovement of the shuttle table 27 as it moves left to right as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. When the shuttle table reciprocates back to its leftextreme position shown in FIG. 2 it moves back under the case hopper14-, biasing fingers 19 clockwise by rubbing on the lowermost case inhopper 14.

As the shuttle table moves from left to right as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3with fingers 19 pushing the collapsed r, a case is along surface 13 intothe case erection area 15, a pair of pivotally mounted suction cups 3%)attach themselves to the back panel of the collapsed case. The suctioncups 3% are so mounted that they rotate while hanging on to the backpanel of the box while the bottom panel of the carton is moving alongits predetermined path on surface 13. The suction cups are each attachedto a hollow stem 31 connected at its free end through a coupling 32 to avacuum line 33. Stems 31 are arranged to extend loosely through a shaft34 which is pivotally mounted in bearings 35 of bracket arms 36. Bracketarms 36 are fixedly attached to frame 12. A spring 3'7 is mounted oneach of stems 31 between a collar 38 mounted on each of the stems 3i andshaft 34 so that the suction cups may rotate at variable radii. A collar39 mounted on stems 31 on the side of stems 31 adjacent suction cups 30restrict the travel of cups 3% in the direction toward shaft 34. Atorsion spring 4%) mounted on shaft 34 biases the suction cups to thedotted left hand position shown in FIG. 3 after shaft 34 and suctioncups 30 have been rotated counterclockwise to the right hand dottedposition shown in FIG. 3.

From the left hand dotted position shown in FIG. 3 the suction cups aredriven counterclockwise to the vertical full line position shown by alever and cam mechanism getting its action from the shuttle mechanism26. From the vertical full line position the suction cups disengage fromthe lever and cam mechanism and cling to and are rotatedcounterclockwise to their dotted horizontal position shown in FIG. 3 bythe action of the movement of the collapsed cases. The lever and cammechanism comprises a lever arm it) pivotally mounted at one end on ashaft 41, fixedly attached to frame 12. A cam follower 42 is mounted onshaft 41 and rotates there with upon rotation of lever arm ill. Camfollower 42 engages with a cam surface 43 mounted on the shuttle table2.7. The free end of lever arm 4th is pivotally connected to one end ofa connecting rod 44. Rod 44 is pivotally connected to a shaft 45 whichis fixedly secured to a crank arm 46. Crank arm 46 is connected to ahollow sleeve 47 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 4-8 fixedlysecured to frame 12. Sleeve 47 is rotatable with crank arm 46. At thefree end of sleeve 47 is adjustably mounted a hub 49 which has a rod 50protruding therefrom. Sleeve 4-7, hub 49 and rod t) when rotatedclockwise as shown in FIG. 4 engage a rod 51 of a slide 52. Slide 52 isarranged in a slotted housing 53 as shown in FIG. 10. Housing 53 isfixedly mounted on the end of shaft 34 causing shaft 34 to rotatecounterclockwise with it a predetermined distance.

Upon further counterclockwise movement of stem 31 and suction cups 3%under the motive force of the moving collapsed cases 18, stems 31 andcups 3% move away from any driving force or retarding drag of itsoriginal motivating force, i.e., the lever arm 4d and cam arrangement43. The reason that the suction cups are arranged to run away from theiroriginal starting mechanism is to reduce the mass of linkage associatedwith the suction cups since the case alone which is new opening must dothe balance of the job of pivoting the suction cups and their respectivestems, springs and common pivot shaft to the horizontal dotted positionshown in FIG. 3.

When the suction cups have set up the case they still hang on to thecase until the case has been loaded with the product and the trailingend closure flaps of the case have been closed by a flap closing bar 55.After this has been accomplished the vacuum is reduced in the suctioncups and the suction cups 3% and stems 31 under the influence of thetorsion spring 48 on shaft 34 swings clockwise (as shown in FIG. 3) backinto their left dotted position to receive the next collapsed case.

During the forward movement of the collapsed case along itspredetermined path over the working surface 13 of the packing machinethe suction cups 30 engage and adhere to the trailing back panel 56 ofthe collapsed carton or case 18. Further, during this forward movementof the collapsed case the edges of the lower end closure flaps 57 passunder the guiding member 58, one mounted at each side of the workingsurface 13, so that the suction cups can rotate back panel 56 of thecase to the vertical position shown. The case at this point in itstravel through the packing machine is erected.

in order to guide the lower end closure flaps 57 of case 18 into theguiding members 58, flap separators come into play while the collapsedcase is traveling from the hopper lid to the case erection area 15. Twoflap separators 59 are provided mounted on a common shaft 64 one at eachend thereof so that they can engage the end flaps of the cases. Shaft 64is rotated by a cam arm 61 which rides over a cam surface 62 on theshuttle mechanism 2t Flap separators 59 are so arranged that they rideon top of the flaps only while the case is being pushed into the caseopening position. The timing of the flap separating mechanism is suchthat flap separators 59 ride on top of the first flap on each end of thepassing case, which is the upper closure flaps s3, 63'. As the flapseparators 59 ride on top of the upper closure flaps 63, 63' they arecammed so that they press down onto and separate the end closure flaps.In so doing they catch the trailing flaps as, 64 to assist in openingthe case as well as to depress the underneath or bottom closure flaps57, 5'7 so that they get caught beneath the flap hold down guidingmembers 58 (note FIG. 6).

At this point the case is erected and all of the closure fiaps at bothends of the case are open. The case is then in the case packing area 16ready to be loaded with containers so filled with any suitable produce,such as, for example, cheese. The product which may be cheese is fedonto the machine conveyor 67 where it runs into the packing machineacross a dead plate 63. The position of the containers on on the deadplate 68 is sensed by a limit switch (not shown) which actuates a valveto send air to a fluid motor 69 comprising a cylinder 70, piston (notshown) and piston rod 71. Fluid motor 69 elevates the containers into aposition to be pushed into the erected cases 13. A loading ram or fluidmotor 72 is provided for loading the containers into the case comprisinga cylinder '73, piston (not shown), piston rod 74, and ram 75.

If more than one tier of containers 66 are to be pushed into the erectedcases 18, the fluid motor 69 and, more particularly, piston rod 74elevates containers 66 into a position high enough to be caught andsuspended by a plurality of finger clamps 76 similar to those shown inFIG. 8 mounted on frame 32 above the next tier of con tainers 66 comingin from the infeed conveyor 67. Fluid motor 69 again goes into action topush up the bottom tier of containers against the top tier of containersto make an accumulated load of containers on to be rammed into theerected case by the ram 75 of fluid motor 72.

As the load of containers 66 is moved into the erected case 18, aloading cycle cam 77 (shown in FIG. 5) on a shuttle structure 78associated with ram 75 hits a roller 79 which operates the trailing flapclosing bar 55. Roller 79 is rotatably mounted on one end of a crank arm36 of a crank 81. Crank arm 82 of crank 81 is fixedly connected to thefree end of crank arm 30 and both arms are rotatably mounted at theircommon connection on a shaft 83 attached to frame 12. The free end ofcrank arm 82 is connected through a rod 84 to a crank arm 85 which ispivotally mounted on a rotatable shaft 86. Shaft 86 has fixedly attachedthereto the trailing closure flap bar 55. As cam 77 hits roller 79, baris rotated to close the trailing closure flap 64 of case 18 and bar 55is held closed by a latch 87 mounted on shaft 87. Latch 87 is providedto keep the load of containers from being pushed right through the case.

On the return stroke of ram and shuttle structure 78, shuttle catch 83mounted on structure 78 engages a roller 89 operating a closing bar 89for closing trailing flap 64' on the loading end of the case. Roller 89is mounted on one end of a crank arm 90 which is fixedly mounted at itsother end on a shaft 91. Shaft 91 has fixedly attached thereto theclosing bar 89. Closing bar 89' is held in its closed position by alatch 92. Latches 87 and 92 for the trailing flaps 64 and 64',respectively, are released by the erection of a following case. Theoperation of the flap separators 59 releases latch 92 which hits stop 93provided on a connecting rod 94 fastened at one end to latch 87, therebyreleasing latch 87. Latch 92 is connected to shaft 60 through aconnecting rod 95. At this point in the .case closing sequence thetrailing flaps 64, 64' are closed and the leading closure flaps 96, 96',the upper closure flaps 63, 63 and the bottom closure flaps 57, 57' ofthe case remain open.

The loaded case now travels forward along its predetermined path. Theflap closing bars 55 and 89 being quite long retain the trailing flaps64, 64' at each end of the case closed even though the case moves. Asthe case moves forward under the actuating effects of the shuttle table27 the leading closure flaps 96, 96' at each end of the case engage bars97 (one of which is shown in FIG. 7) and these bars close the flaps. Atthis point the case has its trailing flaps 64, 64 and its leading flaps96, 96' closed. The only closure flaps which are still open are theupper closure flaps 63, 63' and the lower flaps 57, 57'. At this pointglue may be sprayed or spotted on the outside of the trailing andleading closure flaps 64, 64' and 96, 96, respectively. This isaccomplished by means of glue spray guns 99 which may spray two or fourspots of glue on each end of the case. The spray guns are located aboveand below the flaps closing bars 55 and 89'. It is intended to be withinthe scope of this invention to utilize any other form of fastening meansfor the case flaps. In some applications the case flaps may have someform of adhesive surface which may be moistened or heated at this pointin the packing cycle to accomplish the sealing effect and thisdisclosure is intended to cover those applications.

The loaded case with the closed trailing and leading flaps with glue onthe outside thereof now advances toward the case discharge area 17. Asthe case advances to this position flaps closing plows 101 and 102arranged at each end of the case plow the upper closure flaps 63, 63 andthe lower closure flaps 57, 57' closed against the glued surfaces of thetrailing and leading flaps 64, 64' and 96, 96'. The case is nowcompletely closed and glued with the containers inside.

The loaded sealed cases may be removed from the packing machine in anydesirable manner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings the loadedcases are lifted by an elevator fluid operated motor 103 into a chute104. As the case is elevated upward a predetermined distance the bottomof the case is caught and supported by a plurality of rotatably mountedresilient fingers 105 shown in FIG. 8. These fingers rotate suflicientlyto permit the case to be pushed beyond them and then as the case isreleased by the piston rod of the elevator fluid motor 103 the casesettles down on the fingers and are supported thereby. As more loadedcases are lifted into the chute the bottom case pushes the upper caseuntil finally chute 104 is completely loaded. When a case reaches thetop of chute 104 it contacts a limit switch (not shown) which opens avalve connected with the source of air under pressure which energizesfluid motor 106. Fluid motor 106 through its piston rod 107 transfersthe case across to the flight delivery conveyor 108 and into position109. The transferring across is timed with the flight conveyor. Itshould be noted that the flight conveyor also keeps the closure flaps ofthe case closed and adds additional time for setting up of the glue. Theflight bars 110 with the loaded cases in position 109 continuouslylowers the loaded cases until they arrive at position 111 where theloaded sealed cases drop onto a discharge conveyor 112. The actuation ofthe flight bars and the delivery conveyor containers into the erectedcase.

108 may occur through a suitable electrically driven chain drive, or inany suitable manner well known in the art.

Thus, a new and improved case erecting and packing machine is providedwhich sequentially picks off one collapsed case at a time from a hopper14 and pushes it into the case erection area 15 where the case 18 isopened by means of suction cups 30 in combination with bottom closureflap guiding means 58. A support stop (shown in FIG. 3) is adjustablyarranged and clamped on a rod 116 for supporting the top of the caseduring an erection operation. Stop 115 may be moved to suitably positioncases of different sizes. Upon erection of the case a fluid motor 69stacks the filled containers 66 in tiers and a fluid motor 72 forces thefilled Fluid motor 72 upon actuation of a shuttle moves a trailing flapclosing means for closing the end of the case opposite the loading end.The trailing flap closing bar 55 is latch closed until the case isfilled with containers.

Upon withdrawal of the loading arm 75 of fluid motor 72 the trailingflap closing bar 39 is actuated to close the trailing closure flap 64.The closing bar latches 87 and 92 are then released by the flapseparators 59 as the loaded case moves forward along a predeterminedpath. The forward movement of the loaded case causes bars 97 to closethe leading closure flaps 96, 96'. Glue is then applied to the closedtrailing and leading flaps. Further movement of the loaded case causesclosing plows 101 and 102 to close the upper and lower closure flaps,thus completely closing and sealing the case. The loaded case is thenmoved vertically through a chute 104 and then pushed onto a flightdelivery conveyor 108 which deposits it onto a discharge conveyor.

FIG. 9 illustrates diagrammatically the forces acting on the case andcontainers as they move through the machine. Each of the force actuatingmeans is identified. These force actuating means are interconnected witheach other by micro switches and the like in well known manners.

The new and improved automatic case erecting and packing machine isrelatively small in size and can erect, load and discharge at leasttwenty-five cases a minute. The cases formed of cardboard or any othersuitable material are completely controlled at all times during openingand positioning cycles thereby assuring squared set up and positivepositioning every time. As the case is being opened and positioned, thefilled containers to be packaged are automatically accumulated into apredetermined pattern and elevated to multi-tiers, if required. Thepacking machine has a positive interlocking arrangement throughout allof its operations. The packing machine is a completely enclosed,self-contained system. It is arranged for simplicity and eflicientoperations.

Although air under pressure has been used to actuate the various fluidmotors, oil or any other suitable fluid under pressure may also be used.It is also intended to be within the scope of this disclosure to utilizeone or more electric motors in place of one or all of the fluid motorsdisclosed.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine comprising in combination a frame, means for moving acollapsed open ended case along a predetermined path on said frame,means mounted along said path for attachment to said case, means foractuating said attachment means to cause engagement with said case, saidattachment means after attachment and upon further movement of said casealong said path disengaging from said actuating means, said attachmentmeans 0 upon said further movement of said case along said path causingerection of said case.

2. A machine comprising in combination a frame, means for moving acollapsed open ended case along a predetermined path on said frame,rotatably mounted means mounted along said path for attachment to saidcase, means for actuating said attachment means to cause engagement withsaid case, said attachment means after attachment and upon furthermovement of said case along said path disengaging from said actuatingmeans, said attachment means upon said further movement of said casealong said path rotating and thereby causing erection of said case.

3. A machine comprising in combination a frame, means for moving acollapsed open ended case along a predetermined path on said frame,rotatably mounted suction means mounted along said path for attachmentto said case, means for actuating said suction means to cause engagementwith said case, said suction means after attachment and upon furthermovement of said case along said path disengaging from said actuatingmeans, said suction means upon said further movement of said case alongsaid path rotating under the action of said moving case thereby causingerection of said case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,873,059 Smith et al Aug. 23, 1932 2,280,773 Ferguson Apr. 28, 19422,669,076 Ormsby Feb. 16, 1954 2,803,932 Nigrelli et al Aug. 27, 19572,831,300 Schroeder Apr. 22, 1958 2,901,873 Enos Sept. 1, 1959 2,923,112Harker Feb. 2, 1960 2,943,427 Fisher July 5, 1960 3,060,654 Lubersky etal Oct. 30, 1962

1. A MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A FRAME, MEANS FOR MOVING ACOLLAPSED OPEN ENDED CASE ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH ON SAID FRAME,MEANS MOUNTED ALONG SAID PATH FOR ATTACHMENT TO SAID CASE, MEANS FORACTUATING SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS TO CAUSE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CASE, SAIDATTACHMENT MEANS AFTER ATTACHMENT AND UPON FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID CASEALONG SAID PATH DISENGAGING FROM SAID ACTUATING MEANS, SAID ATTACHMENTMEANS